We had the good fortune of connecting with Ohn Mar Win and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ohn Mar, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
After taking considerable time out to look after my two children I wanted to climb back into the creative field. However, this coincided with a marriage breakdown and I became a single parent. Financially I had to support my young family, and I felt it was best to use my gifts and talents as an artist and illustrator. My immediate concern was to support us and I probably burnt the candle at both ends, leading to several bouts of pneumonia. It’s been a huge juggling act to find that balance between being a mum and running an art business. However 8 years later I am now in a comfortable with an established career, the kids are older and I can take more time for creating art for pleasure, without worrying as much about finances.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
When I first started my ‘day job’ was an illustrator for food brands and packaging. I started sketchbook practice as a way of stepping away from endless hours, stuck in front of my computer, working on Photoshop. I taught myself to watercolour and shared my practice on Instagram, and people really enjoyed seeing what I created every day. Fast forward eight years, having filled 40 sketchbooks, I now teach watercolours and sketchbook practice online. And also at art retreats in Europe and US, both which I never could’ve imagined when I first started. I be paid for what I most love doing is quite an achievement. This even lead to a publisher approaching me to write a book called called Go With The Flow Painting, which was published last year.

The path has been very challenging as I’m a single parent. But the flipside of that is I have to recognise my priorities and make decisions based on those and my own values. Although in the past, I did work silly hours, I now make my own time, for example pick and choose when I want to launch a class. These days taking breaks to care for one’s mental health has improved overall well-being and productivity.

Though my illustration career spans over 20 years, many people don’t realize that I didn’t have a website, style, portfolio, social media presence, or sketchbooks until about 2015. All I had was a mission statement that I wrote for myself: I use my creativity and intuition to support and inspire myself, and then help others do the same.
I believe if folks give themselves time and permission to explore just a fraction of their creativity, they’ll be happier people.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Although I live a short train ride from London, I would actually take them north of where I live to Cambridge and Ely There would be SO much to paint on location from the University Botanic Gardens, to Cathedrals and the historic streets. Perhaps we’d even hire a punt to float down the River Cam past the numerous colleges and sites. As Cambridge is such a multicultural city we could pop into any number to places to eat from Mill Road to the famous Fitzbillies. And furthermore there’s a multitude of museums from archeology to the Scott Polar Institute. I was a art student there for a year and would be able to relive my youth.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
To get back up to speed after taking that eight year break for my kids. I joined an online course where I met other artists, and soon after that more creatives when I started sharing my art on Instagram. This was probably pivotal as beautiful friendships were forged over other love of art, watercolors and sketchbooks. We chat every day, discussing challenges, families or asking for feedback. All my online creative friends and community probably kept me grounded during the pandemic. And now I try to meet them in real life, at art exhibitions, workshops or retreats which is such a bonus.

Website: https://ohnmarwin.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ohn_mar_win/?hl=en

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtWZOnoOk57fnI2nf6Gj87w

Other: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/ohnmarwin/

Image Credits
All photos by Nat Aubry

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